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NFC North

Chicago Bears

Chicago's minicamp and Organized Team Activity (OTAs) season was defined by who wasn't there: Thomas Jones, Lance Briggs and Nathan Vasher. These aren't your average unhappy campers. Aside from Brian Urlacher, they are the best three players on the team. All three showed up for mandatory minicamp, however, and coach Lovie Smith made waves by running Jones and Briggs with their second teams. I wouldn't worry about Jones' second-team status in June. Smith made it clear it wasn't a demotion, and Jones should be back on the top before September. His skill on passing downs is going to make the difference.

Cedric Benson hopes to take away a big chunk of Thomas Jones' carries this season. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

Cedric Benson reportedly continues to struggle in pass protection. He said "1,700 yards" is his goal this year, which is impossible. Jones is one of the best third-down backs in football, meaning a 50-50 split in carries is the best Benson could hope to see. After a handful of mock drafts, I realize Benson and Jones are valued evenly on many draft boards. If that's the case, I see Benson as overhyped and Jones as a value candidate. Bears fans don't want to admit it, but there's a chance Benson won't be a good pro. He didn't show much last year.

Brian Griese continues to recover from a torn ACL, so it's not certain if he'll be 100 percent ready for training camp. Rex Grossman would have to struggle in August to lose the job, but the Bears aren't paying Griese $6 million to tell stories about John Elway. … Wide receiver Mark Bradley was practicing fully in June despite tearing his ACL last season. It looks like he'll open the season as a promising starter opposite Mushin Muhammad.

Rising: Benson - Jones' absence can't hurt.
Falling: Bernard Berrian – Unlikely to get a chance to start.

Detroit Lions

The competition at wide receiver has already taken a few surprising turns. Journeyman wideout Corey Bradford is reportedly a heavy favorite to start opposite Roy Williams. Perhaps this is Mike Martz's way of motivating his young players, but Bradford is back on the fantasy radar. There are worse WR5/6 picks in deep leagues if he keeps the spot.

If Mike Williams was a few years older, he might be getting cut, not Charles Rogers. Williams has been disciplined for being late to team meetings again this off-season and still doesn't "get it." He's an awkward fit for a Mike Martz offense, although Martz has publicly praised him (like everyone else but Rogers). The Lions simply can't eat a $10 million cap hit, though, to ditch a 22-year-old. There is time to coach Williams up, but there is no need to draft him in fantasy leagues until we hear positive news. … If the season started today, Mike Furrey, who was playing safety last season in St. Louis, would reportedly be the team's third wideout. The season starts in September, thankfully.

Jon Kitna has reportedly opened up a big lead in the battle to be the team's starting quarterback. Dan Orlovsky may be passing Josh McCown to be the backup. … The running back depth chart is odd after Kevin Jones. Arlen Harris is reportedly second, ahead of mainstays Shawn Bryson and Artose Pinner. I try not to get carried away with minicamp depth charts, if they even exist. Look for Bryson and rookie Brian Calhoun to have roles behind Jones once the season starts. For now, Jones owners may want to wait to handcuff him. Martz wants him to play on third downs and near the goal line, which could make him a great RB2.

Rising: Kitna – Martz's ultimate test.
Falling: Williams – Slow in every respect.

Green Bay Packers

I wrote about Green Bay's highly unsettled offense recently and don't have a lot to add. Veteran receivers Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter are all fighting for a starting job. But whoever comes in third out of this group probably won't make the team. Ferguson is typically injured. … Rookie Greg Jennings should be the team's third or fourth receiver.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled during OTAs, just like last year. At this point, the Packers will have to bring in a veteran next season after Brett Favre retires to compete with Rodgers for snaps. … Samkon Gado had a poor minicamp season, but it's hard to say he lost ground to Najeh Davenport and Ahman Green, who are both still injured. The big surprise in the backfield has been Noah Herron, who will probably make the roster as a FB/RB hybrid. That could leave Green and Davenport fighting for one roster spot. Green has been out eight months with a torn thigh tendon and Green Bay hopes he can return by late August. If I was setting odds for the starting Packers job, it would go something like …

Green: 3:1
Gado: 4:1
Davenport: 8:1
Herron: 20:1

Rising: Herron – On the radar.
Falling: Ferguson – Could be his last chance.

Minnesota Vikings

Troy Williamson returned to the practice field just as OTAs ended. He recovered quickly from surgery to have a boil removed from his hip, and should be ready to compete with Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson for a starting job. There has been little-to-no indication about what the Vikings will do here. Common sense says coach Brad Childress would love to get Williamson into the starting lineup sooner than later. … RotoWorld favorite Chester Taylor reportedly didn't show up to minicamp in good shape and the coaching staff let him know his starting job isn't guaranteed. It's not a great start to his first season as a starting running back, but I can't get carried away about the news in June. Let's see how he looks in training camp. I made sure to draft Mewelde Moore in the leagues I have Taylor in, though. They both fit Childress' system well and the offensive line in Minnesota should be elite.

Koren Robinson has quickly come into Minnesota and become the team's No. 1 wide receiver. (Elsa / Getty Images)

The Vikings will probably use Koren Robinson less on return units now that he's their No. 1 receiver. … Former Viking Onterrio Smith was cut by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. I think his NFL career is probably over, unless Mike Tice wants to give him a chance in Jacksonville in 2007. … The Vikings plan to use Jim Kleinsasser more, which can't help tight end Jermaine Wiggins. With that said, Childress featured the tight end extensively throughout his run in Philadelphia, and Wiggins should stay involved enough to be a decent TE2 in fantasy leagues.

Rising: Koren Robinson – Seemingly the one receiver Minnesota believes in
Falling: Taylor – May not keep his starting job

Posted by SportsFanMedia on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 11:32 PM | Permalink